" May all your miles be chuckling miles .. "

North Wales Cycle Routes. Chester – Connahs Quay

There are two excellent cycleways from the historic border town of Chester to the Wharf at Connah’s Quay on on the Welsh side of the estuary of the river Dee, though they unite for the last mile or so at Hawarden Bridge.

Both are level, mostly straight and tarmac all the way. They are each 8 miles long and have pleasant views – frequent shrub-lined vistas on the NCR 5, and expansive outlooks on the river Dee route.

National Cycle Route 5 passes close to the centre of Chester along the Shropshire Union Canal. The tow-path is paved, but care should be taken passing under the bridges where the path is cobbled and usually narrow.

From the canal basin and locks near Telford’s warehouse follow the towpath out of Chester

After a mile Turn Right off the tow-path following the NCR 5 sign and then immediate Left on to a dedicated cycleway.

The many lanes and slipways of the A55 expressway are crossed by a new and splendid cycle/footbridge at Drome Corner.

The broad river Dee is crossed by another fine cycle/footpath which has been added to the girder road bridge at Hawarden. When coming off the bridge keep Left and continue under the bridge.

The River Dee Path starts at Cop Park which can be reached from Telford’s Warehouse basin by a short link canal and crossing Sealand Road. It hugs the right bank of the broad river. The views are open and extensive.

For the last section it joins NCR 5 at Hawarden Bridge.

There is free car parking at Connah’s Quay wharf. Some cyclists do a circular trip, starting either at Connah’s Quay or at Chester. There is also an equally attractive branch cycleway across the Burton Marshes to Ness on the Wirral peninsula. This may be accessed a short distance from Connahs Quay on the route to Blacon.